Political Authority

The Monist 66 (4):545-556 (1983)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

I begin this essay with a notion of "authority" that makes a sharp distinction between authority and power, and grant that such authority is not only legitimate, but perhaps even necessary in human affairs. I then trace the devaluation of this idea through varying degrees of institutionalization, culminating in its political cooptation. I argue, finally, that what goes by the name of political authority is the very antithesis of the legitimate and necessary element that we began with.

Other Versions

No versions found

Similar books and articles

Analytics

Added to PP
2012-03-18

Downloads
603 (#50,832)

6 months
79 (#87,091)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

John T. Sanders
Rochester Institute of Technology

References found in this work

No references found.

Add more references